News and Press Releases

“COVID-19 Public Health and Social Measures onYears of Potential Life Lost,” Journal of Emergency Management, November/December 2024

RMCOEH Authors: Ryan Saullo, MD; Jansen Jones, DO; Matthew S. Thiese, PhD; Chapman Cox, MS; Uchenna C. Ogbonnaya, PhD; Kurt T. Hegmann, MD

Could stricter public health measures duringCOVID-19 have unintended consequences? A groundbreaking study from RMCOEH researcher stakes a deep dive into the impact of pandemic restrictions on years of potential life lost (YPLL), a key metric for premature mortality. By analyzing openness scores across U.S. states and comparing mortality trends from 2017 to 2020, the study found that more-restrictive measures did not necessarily reduce premature deaths. In fact, trends pointed to increased mortality, particularly among younger populations — potentially due to economic strain, mental health challenges, and healthcare disruptions. These findings add to ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of prolonged lockdowns and the need for a more balanced public health strategy in future crises.

Citation: Saullo R, Jones J, Thiese MS, Cox C, Ogbonnaya UC, Hegmann KT. The Impact of COVID-19 Public Health and Social Measures on Years of Potential Life Lost. J Emerg Manag 2024; 22(6): 639-648. doi: 10.5055/jem.0843

“Shaping the Future of Industrial-Organizational Psychology: The Transformative Potential of Research Collaborations,” Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 2025

RMCOEH Authors: Ryan Olson, PhD

What if academic research in industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology had a stronger real-world impact? This thought-provoking study explores how research partnerships between academics and practitioners can bridge the gap between theory and practice. By analyzing 14 major I-O psychology journals, researchers found that only 17% of articles included nonacademic contributors — highlighting a major disconnect between research and industry needs. The authors advocate for a shift toward "engaged scholarship," where co-produced research balances scientific rigor with practical applications. Their call to action? I-O psychologists should embrace collaboration to ensure the field remains relevant in shaping the future of work.

Citation: Voss NM, Stoffregen SA, Couture KL, DiGirolamo JA, Furman M, Haidar S, Hammer LB, Lee J, Maneotis SM, McCloy RA, Olson R, Spector PE. Shaping the Future of Industrial-Organizational Psychology: The Transformative Potential of Research Collaborations. Ind Organ Psychol2025; 1-21. doi: 10.1017/iop.2024.61

“Strategies to Reduce Fall Severity after a Perturbation during Ladder Climbing,” IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, November 2024

RMCOEH Authors: Erika M. Pliner, PhD

Ladder falls are a leading cause of workplace injuries — but could training in specific recovery strategies make a difference? A research team put this question to the test in a controlled laboratory setting. Participants faced unexpected difficulties while climbing ladders, and the study identified three key strategies that significantly reduced fall severity: maintaining high upper-limb strength, securing an optimal handhold, and regaining foot placement with control. These findings have implications for workplace safety, suggesting that targeted training and ergonomic interventions could dramatically lower the risk of serious injuries. The research team encourages integrating these biomechanical insights into safety programs and ladder design improvements to protect workers in high-risk environments.

Citation: Pliner EM, Beschorner KE, Seo NJ. Strategies to Reduce Fall Severity after a Perturbation during Ladder Climbing. IISE Trans Occup Ergon Hum Factors 2024. doi:10.1080/24725838.2024.2420722

“Digital Human Ergonomics Training for Remote Office Workers: Comparing a Novel Method to a Traditional Online Format,” Applied Ergonomics, January 2024

RMCOEH Authors: Hongwei Zhao, ScD

With remote work now commonplace, innovative training methods are emerging to improve workplace ergonomics. Researchers conducted a cutting-edge randomized controlled trial comparing a digital human-based ergonomics training program to traditional online training. With 138 participants split into three groups, both training formats led to improved ergonomics knowledge — but only the traditional method resulted in meaningful behavior change. While musculoskeletal discomfort decreased in both training groups, digital human technology didn't outperform conventional training just yet. These findings highlight the exciting potential of digital human-driven learning while underscoring the need for refinements to boost engagement and real-world impact.

Citation: Zhao H, Aguilar KN, Smith ML, Payne SC, Benden M. Digital Human Ergonomics Training for Remote Office Workers: Comparing a Novel Method to a Traditional Online Format. Appl Ergon 2024; 117:104239. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104239

“Optimizing Mine Management: Integrating Lean Theories and Short Interval Control in Surface Mining,” International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 2025

RMCOEH Authors: Pratt Rogers, PhD

How can mining operations boost efficiency and minimize downtime? This study explores the integration of Short Interval Control (SIC), a method that divides shifts into smaller time blocks for real-time monitoring and adjustments, with lean management principles to optimize decision making in surface mining. Focusing on a surface coal operation, researchers examined how SIC influenced shovel performance, particularly during high-impact periods such as shift changes and lunch breaks. While the approach helped reduce disruptions and improve oversight, its success was partially limited by workforce adaptation and data availability. The study underscores SIC’s potential in mining operations and highlights the need for continued refinement in data collection and cultural adoption to fully unlock productivity gains.

Citation: Rogers WP, Amador H, Paixão LAG, Kahraman MM. Optimizing Mine Management: Integrating Lean Theories and Short Interval Control in Surface Mining. Int J Min Reclam Environ 2025; 39(2):123-133. doi:10.1080/17480930.2024.2392456